Bermuda's newest television service, which was expected to begin in the Autumn, will not now go out on air until the end of the year, it was revealed yesterday.

Bermudian production company Fresh Creations was given the go-ahead in June to broadcast free for a year on Government's channel three.

The company, owned by Elmore Warren, said it hoped to be on air showing local programmes by the Autumn.

But yesterday, Telecommunications director Greg Swan said Fresh Productions had put back its intended launch until December 31 because it was still looking at "programming considerations".

"Based on the last meeting we had with him (Mr. Warren), the latest schedule date is December 31," Mr. Swan told The Royal Gazette.

"I don't think there were any specific reasons for the additional date. I think there were additional programming considerations he wanted to finalise and he asked for more relief (time).

"Based on the information provided to us to date, we clearly believe it will transpire as indicated."

In June, when the deal was announced, Mr. Warren would not disclose details of his programming content, but said the output would be around six hours per day of which a minimum of 35 percent would be local.

Mr. Warren did not return calls to The Royal Gazette for comment.